For most of Game 5, the Spurs looked like they were going to win. They played with energy, defended well and built a 16-point lead. San Antonio looked faster, more confident and more prepared than New York.
However, everything changed once the Knicks started coming back. The Spurs stopped playing aggressively, their offense slowed down and the ball stopped moving. Players began taking rushed shots, and instead of trying to win, San Antonio looked like it was simply trying not to lose.
That nervous style of play caused the Spurs to score only 18 points in the fourth quarter. Their offense became easy to predict, and the Knicks could clearly feel San Antonio losing confidence.
Victor Wembanyama finished with 19 points, 14 rebounds and five blocks. His defense was strong, but the Spurs needed him to take control on offense. He never truly did.
Wemby settled for too many outside shots instead of using his height near the basket. He made only one of his six three-point attempts. The Knicks were probably comfortable watching him shoot from far away because he is much more dangerous near the rim.
The biggest problem was not just that Wemby missed shots. Even the greatest players miss. The real issue was that he became less aggressive when the game mattered most. He did not demand the ball enough, and he looked unsure during important possessions. That is why his performance felt like a choke.
Jalen Brunson showed the exact opposite mindset. He stayed calm, attacked the defense and scored 45 points. Even when the Spurs knew he was going to shoot, they still could not stop him. Brunson played like he expected to win, while Wemby played like he was afraid of making the wrong move.
The loss was not only Wemby’s fault. The Spurs missed free throws, stopped moving the ball and failed to adjust when the Knicks started coming back. Their defense also could not slow Brunson down late in the game.
Still, star players are judged by what they do in the biggest moments. Wemby is young and will probably learn from this loss, but in Game 5, he was not ready to be the closer San Antonio needed.
The Spurs had the lead, the crowd and a chance to save their season. But when the pressure became highest, New York stayed confident and San Antonio fell apart.
